Infant sleep positioner

ABSTRACT

An infant sleep positioner for holding an infant. The infant sleep positioner comprises a frame and a support end for holding or supporting an infant in an elevated position. The infant sleep positioner may be provided with a knee bolster to support the legs of the infant. 
     Side bolsters that are releaseably attached, permanently fixed, and/or integrally molded to the frame may be provided to receive and prevent the infant from rolling off of the infant sleep positioner. Also, wings molded to the frame may be employed. Various means for adjusting the height of the support end of the frame and the elevated position of the infant are also provided. Ventilation holes can be included to assist in providing increased airflow and ventilation to the infant. A covering for the infant sleep positioner may be used to assist in releaseably attaching or permanently affixing the side bolsters to the frame and/or to provide varying materials in supporting the infant and covering the frame. In addition to use of the infant sleep positioner on a support surface, the infant sleep positioner may be used in a crib between a crib sheet and a crib mattress.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a non-provisional application claimingpriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/070,013,entitled “Infant Sleep Positioner,” filed on Mar. 18, 2008, and is fullyincorporated herein by reference.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant sleep positioners and, moreparticularly, to a device for positioning an infant on their back whilesleeping and, thereby, reduce the risk of sudden infant death and mayhelp reduce reflex and aid in digestion of food. The device furtherprovides enhanced ventilation to the infant and, in several embodiments,eliminates the use of “pillow” or “foam” like structures.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Medical studies have shown that infants who sleep on their backs orsides have a reduced risk of dying suddenly from Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome (SIDS) as compared to infants who sleep on their stomachs.

Knowing this and in an effort to help reduce the risk to infants,Applicant has invented a number of devices as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,473,923; 5,341,531; D448,227; D446,675; D408,676; D385,143;D369,934; D369,054; and pending U.S. Patent Application, PublicationNumber 2006/0168733 entitled “Infant Positioner For Reducing Risk ofOverheating In Infants” and U.S. Patent Application, Publication Number2007/0163051 entitled “Infant Wedge Sleep Positioner.” Other deviceshave also been invented as disclosed in the various U.S. patentsidentified in the Information Disclosure Statement (i.e., PTO/SB/08A)contemporaneously filed with this patent application and incorporatedherein by reference.

Although these and other similar devices are used to decrease theincidence of SIDS based on the sleeping position of infants, the art inthis field continues to expand and grow with new inventive devicestoward improving sleep positioning devices and the common goal ofproviding for the health and safety of infants. Thus, there is a needand there has never been disclosed Applicant's new infant sleeppositioner that, among many benefits, reduces the risk of sudden infantdeath, helps reduce reflex and aid in digestion of food, providesenhanced ventilation to the infant and, in several embodiments,eliminates the use of “pillow” or “foam” like structures.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an infant sleep positioner for holding aninfant. The infant sleep positioner comprises a frame and a support endfor holding or supporting an infant in an elevated position. The infantsleep positioner may be provided with a knee bolster to support the legsof the infant. Side bolsters that are releaseably attached, permanentlyfixed, and/or integrally molded to the frame may be provided to receiveand prevent the infant from rolling off of the infant sleep positioner.Also, wings molded to the frame may be employed. Various means foradjusting the height of the support end of the frame and the elevatedposition of the infant are also provided. Ventilation holes can beincluded to assist in providing increased airflow and ventilation to theinfant. A covering for the infant sleep positioner may be used to assistin releaseably attaching or permanently affixing the side bolsters tothe frame and/or to provide varying materials in supporting the infantand covering the frame. In addition to use of the infant sleeppositioner on a support surface, the infant sleep positioner may be usedin a crib between a crib sheet and a crib mattress.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Description of the Preferred Embodiment will be better understoodwith reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of Applicant's unique infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating a unique sleep positionerdevice and three different variations of side bolsters that may be usedin positioning the infant on the infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating a plurality of holes throughout theinfant sleep positioner for ventilation.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating an alternate embodiment for the sidebolsters and attachment to the infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating a covering for the infant sleeppositioner.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating an alternate embodiment of the coveringfor the infant sleep positioner to support and facilitate the attachmentof the side bolsters.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating another alternate embodiment in whichany variation or embodiment of the side bolsters are integrally moldedor formed into the infant sleep positioner.

FIGS. 7 through 10 are side perspective views of Applicant's infantsleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating various alternateembodiment designs of the knee bolster for the infant sleep positioneror the infant sleep positioner without a knee bolster altogether.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating an alternate embodiment ofthe shape of the infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating another alternate embodimentin which integrally molded or formed wings are used to prevent an infantfrom rolling off the infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating a means for adjusting theacute angle of the infant sleep positioner to the support surface.

FIG. 14 is a side perspective of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating an alternate means for adjusting theacute angle of the infant sleep positioner to the support surface.

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view, taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, ofthe alternate means for adjusting the acute angle of the infant sleeppositioner to the support surface.

FIG. 16 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating the preferred embodiment ofthe infant sleep positioner having a plurality of ventilation holes, apair of integrally molded wings, and without any knee bolster.

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 16A-16A of FIG. 16,illustrating the angle of the pair of wings in relation to the infantsleep positioner.

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 16B-16B of FIG. 16,illustrating an alternate angle of the pair of wings in relation to theinfant sleep positioner.

FIG. 17 a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleep positionerand, in particular, illustrating another alternate embodiment of theinfant sleep positioner having a plurality of ventilation holes, a pairof wings, and without any knee bolster.

FIG. 18 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating another alternate embodimentof the covering for the infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner and, in particular, illustrating the positioning of theinfant sleep positioner in a crib between a crib sheet and a cribmattress.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment ofApplicant's infant sleep positioner.

FIG. 21 is a side perspective view of the alternate embodiment ofApplicant's infant sleep positioner and, in particular, illustrating thepositioning of the infant sleep positioner in a crib between a cribsheet and a crib mattress.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

At the outset, it should be noted that while the invention is describedin conjunction with many various embodiments as illustrated in FIGS.1-21, Applicant's preferred embodiment is that disclosed and illustratedin FIG. 16.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an infant sleep positioner30. The infant sleep positioner 30 comprises a frame 32, a support end34, and a knee bolster 36. In this embodiment, the frame 32, the supportend 34, and the knee bolster 36 are connected into a single, one-pieceinfant sleep positioner 30. The infant sleep positioner 30 may beconnected into a single, one-piece device by integrally molding theframe 32, the support end 34, and the knee bolster 36 together;assembling each of these components in their individual capacityadjacent to one another to form the infant sleep positioner 30 and thenusing a covering to retain or hold each of these individual componentstogether; and/or, alternatively, using any other means known to oneskilled in the art. Alternatively, the infant sleep positioner 30 may beprovided with ventilating holes 88 throughout the frame 32, support end34, and knee bolster 36, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Alternatively, theventilating holes 88 can be formed of any shape including but notlimited to slots, rectangle, square, oval, ovid, hexagon, rhombus,trapezoid, octagon, or any other desired shape known to one skilled inthe art. In this manner, the air surrounding the infant sleep positioner30 has direct access, through each of the ventilation holes 88, to theinfant 58 on the infant sleep positioner 30. As overheating is thoughtto be a possible contributor of SIDS, the open design of this infantsleep positioner 30 and the ventilation holes 88 allows for theconstant, free airflow completely around the infant 58 (including fromunderneath the infant 58 between the infant sleep positioner 30 and thesupport surface 52 due to the elevated infant sleep positioner 30) forincreased air circulation and ventilation to the infant 58 to enable thetransfer of air to and from the infant 58 for assisting in regulatingthe temperature of the infant 58. The illustration of the infant 58 isfor informational purposes and as a non-limiting example only and doesnot form a part of the invention.

The frame 32 has atop surface 38, a bottom surface 40, and opposed sides42 and 44. In this embodiment, the frame 32 is in the shape of arectangle having a width 46, a length 48, and an acute angle 50 formedby the separation from the bottom surface 40 to a support surface 52beginning at a proximal end 54 of the frame 32 and continuing to adistal end 56 of the frame 52. The acute angle 50, in this embodiment,is preferably in the range of between five to twenty degrees (5°-20°).Alternatively, the acute angle 50 may be a larger angle such as, forexample, to accommodate or enhance digestion or breathing of the infant58 as desired or recommended by a pediatrician or a smaller angleprovided that the acute angle 50 provides a sufficient angle toaccomplish the purposes described herein.

The support end 34 is situated at the distal end 56 of the frame 32. Inthis embodiment, the support end 34 is rectangular in shape and has anend width 62 (see FIG. 2) that is substantially the same as the width 46of the frame 32 and has a fixed height 60 (see FIG. 2) that establishesor fixes the acute angle 50 for the frame 32. Alternatively, the supportend 34 may be any shape or any means known to one skilled in the art forsupporting the distal end 56 of the frame 32 and establishing or fixingthe acute angle 50 for the frame 32.

The knee bolster 36 is situated at the proximal end 54 of the frame 32.The knee bolster 36 addresses a common problem found in other wedge typeinfant sleep positioners which is that the infant 58 can “wiggle” or“slide” down the slope of the frame 32 such that the infant's buttocksactually engage the support surface 52. The knee bolster 36 assists inpreventing or eliminating this problem.

In this embodiment, the knee bolster 36 has an arcing curvature 64 thatis ergonomically designed to accommodate or support the lowerextremities of the infant 58 including the buttocks, legs, knees, andfeet. For example, the knee bolster 36 can be viewed as separated intothree sections: a seat support 66, a knee support 68, and a foot support70. The seat support 66 is ergonomically designed to accommodate orsupport the buttocks and thighs of the infant 58; the knee support 68 isergonomically designed to accommodate or support the thighs leading upto the apex 72 of the knee support 68, which supports the knees of theinfant 58, and then the leg of the infant 58 as it extends from the kneesupport 68; and the foot support 70 which supports the remaining part ofthe leg and feet of the infant 58. Alternatively, the arcing curvature64 may be increased or decreased to accommodate varying heights ofinfants 58 or as desired by one skilled in the art.

A first side bolster 74 is positioned adjacent to the side 42 of theframe 32 and a second side bolster 76 is positioned adjacent to the side44 of the frame 32. In this manner, the combination of the first sidebolster 74, the second side bolster 76, and the frame 32 coact to createa cradle 78 between them to receive the infant 58 and prevent the infant58 from rolling off the infant sleep positioner 30.

The first side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 are positioneddirectly opposite from one another and aligned in a parallelrelationship relative to the length 48 of the frame 32. In thisembodiment, the first side bolster 74 is releasably affixed to the frame32 adjacent to the top surface 38 of the frame 32 and the second sidebolster 76 is permanently affixed to the frame 32 adjacent to the topsurface 38 of the frame 32 such that the first side bolster 74 may movelaterally with respect to the second side bolster 76.

In order to move laterally with respect to the second side bolster 76,the first side bolster 74 is affixed to the frame 32 using a fasteningmeans 80 permanently secured to both the bottom side 82 of the firstside bolster 74 and to the frame 32 adjacent to the top surface 38 ofthe frame 32. The fastening means 80 is preferably an elongated hook andloop fastener strip such as Velcro®. Alternatively, the fastening means80 between the first side bolster 74 and the frame 32 may be any type ofmale/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasablebonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art. Inanother alternative, the first side bolster 74 and the second sidebolster 76 may be affixed in any of the above means to the separateattachment 92 affixed to the frame 32 (e.g., separate attachment 92 isdiscussed in more detail in FIG. 3) or to the covering 94 over the frame32 (e.g., the covering 94 is discussed in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5),and/or using any other means known to one skilled in the art.

With respect to the frame 32, the fastening means 80 extends laterally,at one end, from a position adjacent the side 42 toward the second sidebolster 76 with the opposite end of the fastening means 80 ending at aposition covering less than half of the width 46 of the frame 32. Thus,due to the location and size of the fastening means 80, the lateralmovement of the first side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76will be or cover less than half of the width 46 of the frame 32.

In this manner, the first side bolster 74 may be affixed to thefastening means 80 on the frame 32 and moved laterally anywhere alongthe fastening means 80 (i.e, toward or away from the second side bolster76). If the infant 58 is very small, the first side bolster 74 may bemoved closer to the second side bolster 76 to accommodate the infant 58.The first side bolster 74, however, may only be moved as close to thesecond side bolster 76 as permitted by the fastening means 80. As theinfant 58 grows or if the infant 58 is larger, the first side bolster 74may be moved farther away from the second side bolster 76 to accommodatethe increased size of the infant 58. The first side bolster 74, however,should only be moved as far away from the second side bolster 76 aspermitted by the fastening means 80. Alternatively, it is contemplatedthat the first side bolster 74 may extend a small distance over the side42 of the frame 32 provided that there remains sufficient portion of thebottom side 82 of the first side bolster 74 to affix to the frame 32 andremain effective for positioning and retaining the infant 58 on theirback.

The first side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 are shaped toreceive and position the infant 58 on its back. In this embodiment, thefirst side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 are preferablytriangular in cross section. Alternatively, the first side bolster 74and/or the second side bolster 76 may be shaped as a rectangle, square,circle, oval, ovid, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid, octagon, or halfcylinder as identified by reference number 84, or cylinder as identifiedby reference number 86, or any other shape known to one skilled in theart. The first side bolster 74, the second side bolster 76, regardlessof the shape, size, or contour, is typically placed under the arms andbetween the arms and body of the infant 58 resulting in a combinationfor holding the infant 58 in the cradle 78.

Turning to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment for the attachment of thefirst side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 to the infant sleeppositioner 30 is illustrated. In this alternate embodiment, the firstside bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 are affixed to the frame32 using a second fastening means 90 secured to each of the bottom side82 of the first side bolster 74, the bottom side 82 of the second sidebolster 76, and to a separate attachment 92 secured to the top surface38 of the frame 32. The fastening means 90 is preferably an elongatedhook and loop fastener strip such as Velcro®. Alternatively, thefastening means 90 between the first side bolster 74, the second sidebolster 76, and the separate attachment 92 may be any type ofmale/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasablebonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art.Additionally, in this alternate embodiment, the first side bolster 74and the second side bolster 76 are each releasably affixed to theseparate attachment 92 secured to the top surface 38 of the frame 32such that each may be moved laterally along the fastening means 90 (i.e,toward or away from one another) to accommodate the infant 58. Inanother alternate embodiment, the separate attachment 92 does not needto be affixed to the frame 32 but may simply be placed in position onthe top surface 38 of the frame 32, as desired, which could then be keptin place upon the weight of the infant 58.

With respect to the frame 32, the second fastening means 90 extendslaterally, at one end, from a position adjacent the side 42 toward thesecond side bolster 76 with the opposite end of the second fasteningmeans 90 ending at a position covering less than half of the width 46 ofthe frame 32. Thus, due to the location and size of the second fasteningmeans 90, the lateral movement of the first side bolster 74 and thesecond side bolster 76 will be or cover less than half of the width 46of the frame 32.

Turning to FIG. 4, a covering 94 for the infant sleep positioner 30 isillustrated. The covering 94 preferably has an open end 96 and a closedend 98 and further defining a hollow space 100 within the covering 94 toreceive the infant sleep positioner 30. The infant sleep positioner 30is covered by the covering 94 by slipping the open end 96 of thecovering 94 over the knee bolster 36 and then continuing to pull thecovering 94 in the direction of Arrow A over the frame 32 and finallyover the support end 34 until the closed end 98 of the covering 94becomes engaged with the knee bolster 36. Alternatively, the infantsleep positioner 30 may be covered by the covering 94 in the oppositemanner. In this manner, the entire infant sleep positioner 30 (e.g.,both the top surface 38 and the bottom surface 40 from one end of theknee bolster 36 to the other end of the support end 34) are covered bythe covering 94. As depicted, the covering 94 is form fitted to theinfant sleep positioner 30 but, alternatively, it is contemplated thatthe covering 94 may have a larger opening 100 that it is not formfitting but rather loose such that, upon the covering 94 being slippedover the infant sleep positioner 30 and tightened at the support end 34by means including but not limited to Velcro®, male/female snaps, holeand button combination, opposed releasable bonding strips, or any othermeans known to one skilled in the art, the covering 94 would form a“pie” or “wedge” type shape around the infant sleep positioner 30.

In another alternative, the covering 94 may be secured to the topsurface 38 of the infant sleep positioner 30 using a plurality ofpouches 102 that frictionally receive each of the ends of the kneebolster 36 and the support end 34 of the infant sleep positioner 30 asillustrated in FIG. 18. As discussed in more detail later, FIG. 18 alsoillustrates the infant sleep positioner 30 having wings 104 whichlikewise may be frictionally received in a pouch 102 for securing thecovering 94 to the infant sleep positioner 30. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that any other means for securing the covering 94 to theinfant sleep positioner 30 may be used including but not limited toVelcro®, male/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposedreleasable bonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled inthe art.

The covering 94 is preferably made of any type of breathable materialincluding but not limited to padded mesh netting, or any other type ofbreathable material known to one skilled in the art. Alternatively, thecovering 94 may be made of a padded material such as memory foam, viscoelastic foam, trico padded and quilted material, or any other type ofpadded material known to one skilled in the art; made of a waterproof,water resistant, or any other materials impervious to water or thatresist penetration of water that are known to one skilled in the art; ormade of any combination of these materials or any other materials asdesired.

If the embodiment of this covering 94 is used, this covering 94 maylikewise be provided with the fastening means 80 or the second fasteningmeans 90 to releaseably secure one or both of the bottom sides 82 of thefirst side bolster 74 and/or the second side bolster 76 to the frame 32.The use of this type of covering 94 provides greater flexibility of useand even permits the covering 94 to be removed for washing.

Turning to FIG. 5, an another alternative embodiment for securing thecovering 94 to the infant sleep positioner 30 is illustrated. In thisanother alternate embodiment, the covering 94 has a plurality of opposedopen ends 106 and 107 and further defining an enclosure 108 betweenthem. In this manner, one of the opposed open ends 107 of the covering94 is slipped over the knee bolster 36 and then continuing to pull thecovering 94 in the direction of Arrow A over the frame 32, the infantsleep positioner 30 continues through the enclosure 108 and out theother of the opposed end 106, until the covering 94 reaches the desiredposition along the infant sleep positioner 30. In this embodiment, thedesired position is preferably the location where the attachment of thefirst side bolster 74 and second side bolsters 76 is most effective foruse with the infant 58 along the frame 32.

In this another alternate embodiment, the plurality of opposed open ends106 and 107 of the covering 94 preferably has an open width 110 that isslightly larger than the width 46 of the infant sleep positioner 30 suchthat, when the covering 94 is slipped over the infant sleep positioner30, a frictional engagement is created for securing the covering 94 inthe desired position to the infant sleep positioner 30. Alternatively,it is contemplated that any other means for securing the covering 94 tothe infant sleep positioner 30 may be used including but not limited tothe covering 94 having lengthwise adjacent ends (which are not initiallyconnected) being placed over the top surface 38, wrapped around theopposite sides 42 and 44 of the infant sleep positioner 30, and thensecured to one another along the bottom surface 40 by Velcro®,male/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposed releasablebonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled in the art, andthereby securing the covering 94 to the infant sleep positioner 30.

In this another alternate embodiment, the covering 94 is provided with athird fastening means 112 and 114 to affix the first side bolster 74(see FIG. 1) and the second side bolster 76 (see FIG. 2) to the frame32. The third fastening means 112 and 114 are preferably identical andan elongated hook and loop fastener strip such as Velcro(®. With respectto the frame 32, the third fastening means 112 is positioned adjacentthe side 42 and the third fastening means 114 is positioned adjacent tothe side 44. Alternatively, the third fastening means 112 and 114between the first side bolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 may beany type of male/female snaps, hole and button combination, opposedreleasable bonding strips, or any other means known to one skilled inthe art.

In this manner, just as described with respect to FIG. 1, the first sidebolster 74 may be affixed to the third fastening means 112 on thecovering 94 and moved laterally anywhere along the third fastening means112 (i.e, toward or away from the second side bolster 76). If the infant58 is very small, the first side bolster 74 may be moved closer to thesecond side bolster 76 to accommodate the infant 58. The first sidebolster 74, however, may only be moved as close to the second sidebolster 76 as permitted by the third fastening means 112. As the infant58 grows or if the infant 58 is larger, the first side bolster 74 may bemoved farther away from the second side bolster 76 to accommodate theincreased size of the infant 58. The first side bolster 74, however,should only be moved as far away from the second side bolster 76 aspermitted by the third fastening means 112. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that the first side bolster 74 may extend a small distanceover the side 42 of the frame 32 provided that there remains sufficientportion of the bottom side 82 of the first side bolster 74 to affix tothe frame 32 and remain effective for positioning and retaining theinfant 58 on their back. Likewise, in the exact same manner, the secondside bolster 76 moves laterally along the third fastening means 114toward or away from the first side bolster 74, as desired. Thus, due tothe location and size of the third fastening means 112 and 114, thelateral movement of the first side bolster 74 and the second sidebolster 76 will be or cover less than half of the width 46 of the frame32.

Turning to FIG. 6, an alternate embodiment in which the first sidebolster 74 and the second side bolster 76 are integrally molded orformed into the infant sleep positioner 30 is illustrated. In thisalternate embodiment, the first side bolster 74 and the second sidebolster 76 are integrally molded or formed into the infant sleeppositioner 30 and shaped in the form of a half cylinder. Alternatively,the first side bolster 74 and/or the second side bolster 76 may bemolded or formed into the infant sleep positioner 30 and shaped as arectangle, square, circle, oval, ovid, hexagon, rhombus, trapezoid,octagon, cylinder, etc. . . . or any other shape, size, or contour as isknown to one skilled in the art. In this embodiment, the use of theintegrally molded or formed first side bolster 74 and the second sidebolster 76 eliminates the use of “pillow” or “foam” like structuresbeing used with the infant 58.

Turning to FIGS. 7-10, various alternate embodiment designs of the kneebolster (i.e., including but not limited to the varying shapes andangles) for the infant sleep positioner or the infant sleep positionerwithout a knee bolster altogether are illustrated.

Turning to FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment of the shape of the infantsleep positioner is illustrated. In this alternate embodiment, the acuteangle 50 is increased to a much higher angle such as, for example,thirty degrees (30°) or higher, thereby accommodating or holding aninfant 58 into more of a sitting position.

Turning to FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the infant sleeppositioner 30 is illustrated in which wings 116 and 118 are illustrated.In this alternate embodiment, the wings 116 and 118 are integrallymolded to the sides 42 and 44, respectively, of the infant sleeppositioner 30. Alternatively, the wings 116 and 118 may be secured tothe infant sleep positioner 30 by any other means known to one skilledin the art. The wings 116 and 118 are provided with raised and arcingsidewalls 120 and 122 which are used to prevent the infant 58 fromrolling off of the infant sleep positioner 30.

Turning to FIG. 13, a means for adjusting the acute angle 50 of theinfant sleep positioner 40 to the support surface 52 is illustrated. Inthis embodiment, the means for adjusting the acute angle 50 comprises asupport bar 124 having support legs 126 with a plurality of holes 134and a pair of tubes 128 fixedly secured to the bottom surface 40 of theinfant sleep positioner 30. A portion 130 of the pair of tubes 128 ishollow and further provides a plurality of holes 132. To adjust theheight of the infant sleep positioner 30 by raising or lowering thesupport end 34 and thereby also adjust the acute angle 50 to a desiredposition for the infant 58, the support legs 126 of the support bar 124are inserted into the hollow portion 130 of the tubes 128. Upon reachingthe desired height of the infant sleep positioner 30 and the holes 134in each of the support legs 126 being aligned with the holes 132 in eachof the portion 130 of the tubes 128, a pin 136 is inserted through theholes 134 of the tubes 128 and through the holes 132 in each of thesupport legs 126. Alternatively, the means for adjusting the acute angle50 of the infant sleep positioner 40 to the support surface 52 may beaccomplished with the holes 132 being located in only one tube 128 andthe holes 134 being located in only one support leg 126 of the supportbar 124.

Turning to FIGS. 14 and 15, an alternate means for adjusting the acuteangle 50 of the infant sleep positioner 30 to the support surface 52 isillustrated. In this alternate embodiment, the means for adjusting theacute angle 50 of the infant sleep positioner 30 comprises support feet138 having a plurality of teeth 140 and a pair of tubes 142 fixedlysecured to the bottom surface 40 of the infant sleep positioner 30. Aportion 146 of the pair of tubes 142 is hollow. A locking mechanism 144is used to releaseably secure the adjusting position of the support feet138 within the pair of tubes 142. The locking mechanism 144 preferablyprovides a handle 150 for moving a stopper 148 into position forengaging the desired teeth 140 and thereby locking the tube 142 to thesupport feet 138.

To adjust the height of the infant sleep positioner 30 by raising orlowering the support end 34 and thereby also adjust the acute angle 50to a desired position for the infant 58, the support feet 138 areinserted into the hollow portion 142 of the pair of tubes 142. Uponreaching the desired height of the infant sleep positioner 30, thelocking mechanism becomes locked securing the support feet 138 to thetubes 142. Alternatively, while a pair of support feet 138 are used tosupport the infant sleep positioner 30, the alternate means foradjusting the acute angle 50 of the infant sleep positioner 40 to thesupport surface 52 may be accomplished using only one tube 142 and onesupport feet 138.

Turning to FIG. 16, the preferred embodiment of the infant sleeppositioner 30 having a plurality of ventilation holes 88, a pair ofwings 152 and 154, and without any knee bolster 36 is illustrated. Inthis preferred embodiment, the pair of wings 152 and 154, like the pairof wings 116 and 118 of FIG. 12, are integrally molded to the sides 42and 44, respectively, of the infant sleep positioner 30 and have raisedand arcing sidewalls 156 and 158 which are used to prevent the infant 58from rolling off of the infant sleep positioner 30. One differencethough is that these pair of wings 152 and 154 have a shorter length andare located closer to the proximal end 54 of the infant sleep positioner30. In this manner, the pair of wings 152 and 154 are proximatelylocated adjacent to the shoulders, arms, and main torso of the infant 58to be effective to prevent the infant 58 from rolling off the infantsleep positioner 30 when in use but remain clear of where the head andneck of the infant 58 would be located thereby avoiding any engagementor contact of the head of the infant 58 with the wings 152 or 154. Also,the remaining torso and the buttocks or diaper area of the infant 58would be located on the frame 32 adjacent the proximal end 54 with thelegs of the infant 58 extending out and onto the support surface 52. Inthis preferred embodiment, the pair of wings 152 and 154 preferablyextend outwardly and perpendicularly (i.e., 90° angle) from the frame 32of the infant sleep positioner 30 as illustrated in FIG. 16A.Alternatively, the pair of wings 152 and 154 may extend outwardly and atany other angle (e.g., such as a 45° angle) from the frame 32 of theinfant sleep positioner 30 as illustrated in FIG. 16B. Additionally, inthis preferred embodiment, the infant sleep positioner 30 may be coveredwith the covering 94 described herein, if desired (e.g., without theknee bolster covering portion).

Turning to FIG. 17, another alternate embodiment of the infant sleeppositioner 30 having a plurality of ventilation holes 88, a pair ofwings 162 and 164, and without any knee bolster 36 is illustrated. Inthis another alternate embodiment, the pair of wings 162 and 164, likethe pair of wings 152 and 154 of FIG. 16, are integrally molded to thesides 42 and 44, respectively, of the infant sleep positioner 30 andhave raised and arcing sidewalls 166 and 168 which are used to preventthe infant 58 from rolling off of the infant sleep positioner 30. Onedifference though is that these pair of wings 162 and 164 have a shorterlength and are located adjacent to the proximal end 54 of the infantsleep positioner 30. In this manner, the pair of wings 162 and 164 areproximately located adjacent to the shoulders, arms, and main torso ofthe infant 58 to be effective to prevent the infant 58 from rolling offthe infant sleep positioner 30 when in use but remain clear of where thehead and neck of the infant 58 would be located thereby avoiding anyengagement or contact of the head of the infant 58 with the wings 152 or154. Also, the remaining torso, the buttocks or diaper area, and legs ofthe infant 58 would extend out and onto the support surface 52. Thisalternate embodiment, like the preferred embodiment in FIG. 16, achievesthe benefits of elevation, enhanced ventilation, elimination of “pillow”or “foam” like structures and also allows for use in smaller spaces suchas bassinets, etc.

Turning to FIG. 18, although the particulars of how the covering 94 issecured to the infant sleep positioner 30 were discussed above, thecovering 94 is preferably made of varying materials. In this embodiment,the covering 94 is separated into three sections 170, 172, and 174 ofmaterial. Section 170 of the covering 94 is designed to accommodate thehead of the infant 58 and therefore this section is made of a paddedmaterial such as memory foam, visco elastic foam, or any other materialthat is known to one skilled in the art which provides comfort to thehead of the infant 58. As a result, this section permits comfort to thehead of the infant 58. Section 172 of the covering 94 is designed toaccommodate the torso and leg and feet of the infant 58 and thereforethis section is made of a padded mesh netting or any other breathablematerial known to one skilled in the art. As a result, this sectionallows for enhanced airflow and/or ventilation to the infant 58 therebyassisting in reducing overheating of infants 58. Section 174 of thecovering 94 is designed to accommodate the buttocks or diaper area ofthe infant 58 and therefore this section is made of waterproof, waterresistant, or any other materials impervious to water or that resistpenetration of water that are known to one skilled in the art. As aresult, this section prevents leakage from the infant 58 from spreadingfrom the covering 94 of the infant sleep positioner 30. Alternatively,each of the sections 170, 172, and 174 of the covering 94 could all bemade of the same materials described above or any combinations thereof.

Turning to FIG. 19, the infant sleep positioner 30 (as illustrated inFIG. 18 except without the covering 94) is positioned in a crib 176between a crib sheet 178 and a crib mattress 180 is illustrated. The useof the infant sleep positioner 30 in this embodiment utilizes the infantsleep positioner 30 in the crib 176 where the infant 58 may be morecomfortable and more secure, eliminates the need for the covering 94, ismore stable due to the infant sleep positioner 30 being held or moreintegrated between the crib sheet 178 and crib mattress 180, andeliminates the use of any “pillow” or “foam” like structures.Alternatively, it is contemplated that the crib sheet 178 may be aspecialized tight or form fitting sheet. Alternatively, any of thevarious embodiments of the infant sleep positioner 30 discussed hereinmay be used in the crib 176 in this manner.

Turning to FIG. 20, an alternate embodiment of Applicant's infant sleeppositioner 30 is illustrated. In this alternate embodiment, the infantsleep positioner 30 is provided with an elongated cradle 182, a wall 186situated around the perimeter of the cradle 182, a ridge 184 situatedaround the perimeter of the wall 186, and a continuous wall 188 situatedaround the exterior of the cradle 182. The cradle 182 has a lowest point190 for supporting the buttocks or diaper area of the infant 58. Aninclined wall 192 extends in a gradual upwardly and outwardly mannerfrom the lowest point 190 until the inclined wall 192 reaches the ridge184. The inclined wall 192 of the cradle 182 supports the placing andholding of the head, neck, shoulders, arms, and torso of the infant 58in a comfortable, inclined and elevated position and for preventing theinfant 58 from rolling off or out of the infant sleep positioner 30. Thecontinuous wall 188 is provided with a support base 192 which is used toengage any support surface 52 for supporting the infant sleep positioner30 on any support surface 52 and further, due to the entire continuouswall 188 engaging the support surface 52, provides enhanced stability tothe infant sleep positioner 30. In this alternate embodiment, the cradle182, the wall 186, the ridge 184, and the continuous wall 188 are formedinto a single, continuous, and unified infant sleep positioner 30.

Alternatively, the infant sleep positioner 30 in this alternateembodiment may be provided with ventilating holes 88, disclosed herein,throughout the elongated cradle 182, the wall 186, the ridge 184, andthe continuous wall 188 such that the air surrounding the infant sleeppositioner 30 has direct access, through each of the ventilation holes88, to the infant 58 on the infant sleep positioner 30.

As another alternative, the infant sleep positioner 30 in this alternateembodiment may be provided with any of the various covering 94 disclosedherein.

In addition, this alternate embodiment of the infant sleep positioner 30can be likewise placed in a crib 176 between a crib sheet 178 and a cribmattress 180 is illustrated in FIG. 21.

Thus, there has been provided a unique infant sleep positioner forpositioning an infant on their back for sleeping and to reduce the riskof sudden infant death. While the invention has been described inconjunction with a specific embodiments, it is evident that manyalternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly,it in intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications andvariations as fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

1. An infant sleep positioner, comprising: a frame having a top surface,a bottom surface, and each sharing a proximal end and a distal end, theproximal end aligned in a first plane; means for elevating the distalend of the frame into a second plane in relation to the proximal end andforming an angle between the first plane and the second plane; a kneebolster extending outwardly from the proximal end of the frame.